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It’s estimated that 22 million people live in manufactured homes. There are many benefits to living in a manufactured home, including reduced purchase and maintenance costs and environmental friendliness. There’s also another big reason that people invest in a manufactured home: convenience. Manufactured homes can often be hitched on the back of a truck and relocated. It’s important to know the specifics of moving manufactured homes and the laws that dictate when, how, and if a manufactured property can be moved. Here are four laws you need to know about moving a manufactured home and some other tips to help you with the process. Law #1: You’ll need to get a moving permit to relocate your manufactured home.You can’t just pick up and leave with your manufactured home when you feel like it. While the exact process of obtaining a moving permit for a manufactured home depends on the state and county in which you are currently living, you will likely be required to provide a couple of key items:
As you would any time you deal with your local municipal government, give yourself plenty of time to get your permit in order before your move—you don’t want slow paperwork or approvals to mess up your moving day. Law #2: You’ll need a manufactured home mover.There’s no such thing as a DIY move when relocating with a manufactured home. That’s because the laws on moving a manufactured home require that you work with a licensed, bonded, and insured professional moving company. Use our free online list of movers to search for reputable moving companies in your area. Next, reach out to them directly to get a quote. Ask if they have the experience, equipment, and trucks necessary to move your manufactured home. Not all moving companies are up to the task, so similar to getting your permit, give yourself plenty of time to do your research here. That will help ensure that you get a good company to help you out, but you’ll also be able to shop around for quotes so that you know you’re getting the best deal possible on your manufactured home move. Law #3: You’ll need your manufactured home to be up to code.Those HUD codes we mentioned before aren’t just suggestions for manufactured homes. They are legal requirements for placing any manufactured home on the map, including ones built before the codes went into place. So what does this mean for your move? If your manufactured home was built before the HUD codes were enacted in 1976, you’re probably not going to be allowed to move it. And most municipalities bolster this law with their own age limits and strict local requirements around modern-day building standards for the home and its internal systems. With those standards in place, a manufactured home built in the ’70s, ’80s, or even ’90s might not get the pass. Law #4: You’ll need to check the legal requirements of your new city/town.The city/town where you’re relocating may have stricter laws regarding building standards and property age than your current town. You will almost certainly have special zoning restrictions that you’ll have to abide by. If your manufactured home is more than 10 or 15 years old, expect to go through a bit of legwork providing accurate proof of the integrity of its structure and systems. Modern-day building standards are in place for a reason, and there’s no getting around these laws if your property isn’t meeting the bar. How to relocate a manufactured homeDon’t let the laws on moving a manufactured home deter you from starting the process. Many people successfully move their manufactured homes every year. Give yourself enough time. It doesn’t have to be a stressful process. As for what to do first, follow these steps for making sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s when it comes to the laws on moving a manufactured home.
How much does it cost to move a manufactured home?As for the cost of moving a manufactured home, for relocations within 50 miles, you should anticipate spending somewhere between $5,000 and $8,000 for acquiring permits, moving your home, and hooking up utilities for a single-wide manufactured home. For a double-wide, that amount increases to about $10,000 to $13,000. This number goes up for further moves. And while it’s not cheap, it’s still a lot more affordable than buying a brand new house. Size breakdown and why it mattersThe size of your home will determine whether it can be moved on a single trailer or in several pieces. Moving it in pieces is more expensive. Typically, there are three sizes to consider. Single-wide mobile homes are usually between 600 and 1,300 square feet and have one or two bedrooms and bathrooms each. Double-wide mobile homes usually include two-three bathrooms and two to three bathrooms, averaging between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet. Triple-wide or multi-wide mobile homes are about 4,500 square feet and resemble the site-built homes the most. They can have three or more bedrooms, at least two bathrooms, and are usually customized. Mistakes to avoid when moving your manufactured homeHere’s what NOT to do when you’re moving your manufactured home:
How to prepare your manufactured home for the moveBefore the moving company loads your manufactured home on the trailer, you’ll need to ensure it’s ready to go. Since some tasks should be completed well in advance, you’ll want to get started as soon as possible.
How to save money on moving a manufactured homeSome expenses will be inevitable, since you need a professional to move your manufactured home. But just like with any move, you can cut some costs by:
How to find a moving company you can trust to move your homeFinding reputable professionals who can move your manufactured home correctly and safely is important. As we mentioned, it’s not a DIY kind of a job. So, before you pick a moving company, consider the following:
The bottom lineAlthough it looks like moving a manufactured home even a short distance is an involved process, it is certainly doable with proper preparation. Just follow the rules and the regulations, avoid making common mistakes, hire a reputable moving company, and don’t forget to do your homework. Moving your manufactured home FAQsDo I need a permit to move my manufactured home?Yes. It’s a legal requirement and varies by state. How much does it cost to move my manufactured home?It depends on whether you choose to do a transport-only or a full-service move and the type of manufactured home you have (single-, double or triple-wide). Just to use an estimate, the transport-only move will cost anywhere between $700 and $3,500. The full-service move will cost $3,000-$14,000. The transport-only move for up to 60 miles is about $700-$1,000 for a single-wide, $2,000-$2,500 for a double-wide and $2,600-$3,500 for a triple-wide. To move a single-wide mobile home using the full-service moving service and the same distance of up to 60 miles will cost about $3,000-$5,000. Full-service moves include the disconnect, reconnect and transport services. To move a double-wide mobile home will cost $4,000-$10,000. For triple-wide, expect to pay $10,000-$14,000 or more. What factors affect the cost of moving a mobile home?Consider the distance of the move, the size and weight of the home, the cost of permits, inspections and setup, and the cost of moving materials. How much does a mobile home setup cost?Expect to pay $3,000 to $4,000 in setup costs but prices vary. Do I need to hire a professional company to move my mobile home?Yes. This is not a DIY kind of a move. How do I determine if my mobile home can handle the move?Look at the shape of your home. Also, if it was built before 1976, it may not be up to the current HUD standards and may not make it through the move. Can you move a double-wide trailer in one piece?Typically, any home larger than a single-wide would need to be moved in more than one piece, but check with your moving company. How much notice do I need to give before vacating my lot?Review your rental agreement to find this information. Usually, you’ll be required to give written notice of your intent to relocate at least 30 days before your move. What is the oldest manufactured home you can move?According to the HUD regulations, if your home was built before 1976 it doesn’t meet the current safety standards and shouldn’t be moved even a short distance. Planning to move a manufactured home?Whether you need help moving your manufactured home, personal belongings, or both, our extensive network of reputable and reliable movers can get the job done. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured. Plus, if you need to store your belongings, we can help with that, too. Moving.com can connect you to trustworthy and affordable self-storage facilities in your area. What is the oldest you can move a mobile home?What is the oldest manufactured home you can move? According to the HUD regulations, if your home was built before 1976 it doesn't meet the current safety standards and shouldn't be moved even a short distance.
Can you save money living in a mobile home?The best thing about mobile homes is their low cost and affordability. Many people today struggle to find affordable housing due to the high pricing of traditional households. Mobile homes pricing allows tenants to be more flexible with their money and allows them to save money and live better.
Can a tractor pull a mobile home?Unlike typical tractor-trailer rigs, mobile and manufactured homes are towed using a more-or-less traditional ball hitch, and the tractor is called a Toter, or Mobile Home Toter—a tractor unit specifically designed for the modular and manufactured housing industries.
Can I live in a mobile home?You cannot live permanently on them, some may have restrictions as to how much time you can spend there in one go. Residential parks are open all year round and you can live there permanently in a purpose built home. They do not usually allow static caravans or mobile homes to be lived in.
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